Space Shuttle Endeavour launches for the last time

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Maybe we need a good space opponent to get interest back in to it. Perhaps the Chinese would be a challenging opponent???

Hard to say All recent reports of planned Chinese manned moon missions are really based on mistranslations, misunderstandings, and wishful thinking. Recent presentations by Chinese space officials make clear that they won't even begin to study a moon mission until after they've successfully built a space station, which is at least a decade away. The current pace of the Chinese program doesn't really point to a concerted effort to put a man on the moon anytime soon. And since we've already been there I'm not sure it'd get us that excited anyway.

[FIREWALL]

Instead of being so negitive we might want to think of partnering up with China in a joint Spacecraft.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Instead of being so negitive we might want to think of partnering up with China in a joint Spacecraft.

The potential for having our technology ripped off and intellectual property rights tramped on are too great, along with the political ramifications. I still remember the reaming the Clinton administration got in Congress over the Chinese acquiring some sensitive satellite technology in a joint venture.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Instead of being so negitive we might want to think of partnering up with China in a joint Spacecraft.

Since China's space program has a distinct military twist I doubt that is going to happen.


^If you can't tell that's slung under the belly of a Badger bomber. If it has PLAAF written anywhere on it, I don't trust it.

Not too long I suspect before our two X-37Bs make way for production run FQ-37Cs. At least the USAF is keeping up with space developments.

[Falkirion]

Its more important than ever that NASA and USAF keep pace with space tech since China's predicted to take over the mantle of worlds largest economy within the next 15 years. And while I think that communism is a nice system in theory and only theory. China's a bit more totalitarian than I'd like.

[papa_smurf]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Instead of being so negitive we might want to think of partnering up with China in a joint Spacecraft.

ESA and NASA are looking at potentially working together to turn the ATV supply ship into a crew transport ship.